WHere?! Nomad Local Blog

“Yes, here you need to put our postal code,” a friend told me while filling out a form for my work visa in Slovakia. “You are one of us now.”

It may seem like any phrase, but this made me feel like I was officially part of the Slovak community. I had gone from being a visitor to becoming a citizen. What’s the difference between when I was just visiting and now that I’ve obtained my visa in Slovakia?

The difference lies in how much we contribute to people’s lives and how much they give back to us at the same time. When we move to another country, our responsibility to contribute increases, and locals play an important role with immigrants.

The Importance of Locals for Immigrants

In August, when I was returning from a trip to London, I knew the most difficult days were coming because, in July, I had finally secured a contract as a Spanish teacher at a school in Slovakia.
That’s why in the past few weeks I couldn’t write in the blog since it was a very tough process. I didn’t know everything that was needed to get a work visa in Slovakia.

However, during these weeks, even though there were many problems in the process, the local people helped me a lot. Some lent me their contact number that the police needed to call me, and others directed me to places to get the documents I needed. Slowly, I managed to gather all the requirements they asked for.

Also in WHere?!: Action and Patience: The Secret to Turn a Cultural Travel Sustainable

I now realize all the challenges an immigrant might face to achieve legal status, especially when speaking a different language. In my case, speaking a little Slovak wasn’t always enough.

For example, when I went to the foreign police office for the first time to submit my documents, the officer didn’t speak English and was upset that I had come without a translator or another Slovak friend. In the end, they found another colleague, and we were able to communicate. It was difficult to face these experiences.

But even though I was alone during those days, I really wasn’t. There were many people watching out for me throughout the process: the school staff, the principal, my friends in Slovakia and Mexico. They helped ensure that when something happened, they would be there for me.

“Even though I was alone during those days, I really wasn’t. There were many people watching out for me”

When a friend sent me an important document at the last minute from Mexico, I needed it as soon as possible. The next day, I told him to have it apostilled by the government and sent by courier. The locals helped me receive it and ensured I didn’t miss anything.

This is why locals play a fundamental role for those who move: they become your new family. Locals gave me the support needed to regain a sense of peace. And do the locals gain anything in return? Actually, more than we might think.

From Nomad to Moving to Another Country

Although helping others is not meant for personal gain, it’s true that the consequences of helping are always positive. When something comes from the heart, it reaches the heart. And when someone decides to live in another country, they not only bring new ideas to the community but also cultural knowledge.

The person who arrives in another country has the chance to share their life experiences and enrich the lives of those around them. When locals help migrants, the result is diversity, generosity, and gratitude. And people will seek to return that favor with whatever they can.

“…the consequences of helping are always positive. When something comes from the heart, it reaches the heart“

When I decided to look for a job, the Slovak people in a small village helped me as much as they could. My gratitude to them is infinite. And although I cannot repay all they’ve done for me, every day is a new opportunity to give something back.

A friendship, family, love—sometimes the little actions are what matter most. Every act of gratitude is love in practice. That’s why, when the locals helped me stay in their town, I decided I would be there and help the community as much as I could.

They ask me if I will stay. For today, I know I will be here and return the love they gave me. Tomorrow is unknown, but today, I’m happy to share that after months of traveling as a nomad, I can finally say I’ve settled in what I consider my second home: Slovakia.

And soon, I’ll share everything I did to make it happen. Just in case someone else wants to live this dream come true too.

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